What is an
Athletic Trainer?
Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state's statutes, rules and regulations.
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Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an allied health care profession.
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The BOC Certification is the only accredited cortication program for Athletic Trainers.


Where To Find an Athletic Trainer
Athletic Trainers Can Be Found Almost Anywhere!​
Educational settings (Public and Private)
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Colleges, universities, elementary schools, and secondary schools
Hospitals, fitness centers, or physicians’ offices
Professional Sports Teams and Elite Athletes
Youth leagues, municipal and independently owned youth sports facilities
Occupational or industrial settings
Performing arts​
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Music, Dance, Film, Entertainment
Military
Public safety
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Police and Fire Departments

How to Become an Athletic Trainer
1. Apply and be accepted into a one of the 270+ CAATE-Accredited Masters of Athletic Training Program
2. Complete Clinical Rotation Hours and 63 units under the CAATE-Accredited Program and Graduate
3. Sit for and pass the BOC Certification Exam
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Subject Matter Taught:
Evidence-Based Practice; Prevention and Health Promotion; Clinical Examination and Diagnosis; Acute Care of Injuries and Illnesses; Therapeutic Interventions; Psychosocial Strategies and Referral; Health Care Administration; Professional Development and Responsibility
Athletic Training
Regulation of Athletic Trainers
Athletic trainers are licensed or otherwise regulated in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Efforts continue to add licensure in California.
National Athletic Training Association (NATA) has ongoing efforts to update obsolete state practice acts that do not reflect current qualifications and practice of ATs under health care reform.
Required credentialling in 48 states and the District of Columbia require ATs to hold the Board of Certification credential of “Athletic Trainer Certified” (ATC).
Athletic trainers are qualified to apply for a National Provider Identifier (NPI) as mid-level health care professionals. The taxonomy code for athletic trainers is 2255A2300X.
Why use Athletic Trainers?
Athletic trainers provide medical services to all types of patients, not just athletes participating in sports, and can work in a variety of job settings. Athletic trainers relieve widespread and future workforce shortages in primary care support and outpatient rehab professions and provide an unparalleled continuum of care for the patients.
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Athletic trainers improve functional outcomes and specialize in patient education to prevent injury and re-injury. Preventative care provided by an athletic trainer has a positive return on investment for employers. ATs are able to reduce injury and shorten rehabilitation time for their patients, which translates to lower absenteeism from work or school and reduced health care costs.
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Participating in any activity carries a risk. Although rare, sudden death and catastrophic injury can occur in any physical activity. Having an athletic trainer onsite allows for immediate response if a life-threatening situation arises. Athletic trainers work with coaches, administrators and other school district staff to mitigate risk to student athletes and the school. The Athletic trainer's primary focus is on the needs and safety of the athlete. The Athletic trainer must consistently monitor students, facilities, activities and daily procedures to ensure that any injury that can be preventable injury is avoided.
For more information about how ATs provide a safer approach to work, life and sport visit www.AtYourOwnRisk.org.
Preamble
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association Code of Ethics states the principles of ethical behavior that should be followed in the practice of athletic training. It is intended to establish and maintain high standards and professionalism for the athletic training profession. The principles do not cover every situation encountered by the practicing athletic trainer but are representative of the spirit with which athletic trainers should make decisions. The principles are written generally; the circumstances of a situation will determine the interpretation and application of a given principle and of the Code as a whole. When a conflict exists between the Code and the law, the law prevails.
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association respects and values diversity amongst its members and patients served. Our members work respectfully and effectively with diverse patient populations in varied healthcare environments. The NATA prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion (creed), sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, military status, family/parental status, income and socioeconomic status, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, or other unlawful basis, in any program or activity conducted or funded by the NATA (VATA, 2020).
Important Professional Values (PV) shared by the NATA membership include: 1) Caring & Compassion, 2) Integrity, 3) Respect, 4) Competence, and 5) Accountability. These shared PV underpin the NATA Code of Ethics, motivate honorable interpersonal behaviors, and conduct in member’s interactions with all persons.
The Appendix to the Code of Ethics reveals a definition and sample behaviors for each shared PV.
PRINCIPLE 1. IN THE ROLE OF AN ATHLETIC TRAINER, MEMBERS SHALL PRACTICE WITH COMPASSION, RESPECTING THE RIGHTS, WELL-BEING, AND DIGNITY OF OTHERS
(PRINCIPLE 1 is associated with the PV of Respect, Caring & Compassion, and Competence.)
1.1 Members shall act in a respectful and appropriate manner to all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, ethnic or national origin, disability, health status, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
1.2 Member’s duty to the patient is the first concern, and therefore members are obligated to place the well-being and long-term well-being of their patient above other stakeholders to provide competent care in all decisions, and advocate for the best medical interest and safety of their patient as delineated by professional statements and best practices.
1.3 Members shall preserve the confidentiality of privileged information and shall not release or otherwise publish in any form, including social media, such information to a third party not involved in the patient’s care without a release unless required by law.
PRINCIPLE 2. MEMBERS SHALL COMPLY WITH THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF ATHLETIC TRAINING, NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINERS’ ASSOCIATION (NATA) MEMBERSHIP STANDARDS, AND THE NATA CODE OF ETHICS
(PRINCIPLE 2 is associated with the PV of Accountability.)
2.1. Members shall comply with applicable local, state, federal laws, and any state athletic training practice acts.
2.2. Members shall understand and uphold all NATA Standards and the Code of Ethics.
2.3. Members shall refrain from and report illegal or unethical practices related to athletic training.
2.4. Members shall cooperate in ethics investigations by the NATA, state professional licensing/regulatory boards, or other professional agencies governing the athletic training profession. Failure to fully cooperate in an ethics investigation is an ethical violation.
2.5. Members must not file, or encourage others to file, a frivolous ethics complaint with any organization or entity governing the athletic training profession such that the complaint is unfounded or willfully ignore facts that would disprove the allegation(s) in the complaint.
2.6. Members shall refrain from substance and alcohol abuse. For any member involved in an ethics proceeding with NATA and who, as part of that proceeding is seeking rehabilitation for substance or alcohol dependency, documentation of the completion of rehabilitation must be provided to the NATA Committee on Professional Ethics as a requisite to complete a NATA membership reinstatement or suspension process.
PRINCIPLE 3. MEMBERS SHALL MAINTAIN AND PROMOTE HIGH STANDARDS IN THEIR PROVISION OF SERVICES
(PRINCIPLE 3 is associated with the PV of Caring & Compassion, Accountability.)
3.1. Members shall not misrepresent, either directly or indirectly, their skills, training, professional credentials, identity, or services.
3.2. Members shall provide only those services for which they are qualified through education or experience and which are allowed by the applicable state athletic training practice acts and other applicable regulations for athletic trainers.
3.3. Members shall provide services, make referrals, and seek compensation only for those services that are necessary and are in the best interest of the patient as delineated by professional statements and best practices.
3.4. Members shall recognize the need for continuing education and participate in educational activities that enhance their skills and knowledge and shall complete such educational requirements necessary to continue to qualify as athletic trainers under the applicable state athletic training practice acts.
3.5. Members shall educate those whom they supervise in the practice of athletic training about the Code of Ethics and stress the importance of adherence.
3.6. Members who are researchers or educators must maintain and promote ethical conduct in research and educational activities.
PRINCIPLE 4. MEMBERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN CONDUCT THAT COULD BE CONSTRUED AS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, REFLECTS NEGATIVELY ON THE ATHLETIC TRAINING PROFESSION, OR JEOPARDIZES A PATIENT’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.
(PRINCIPLE 4 is associated with the PV of Respect.)
4.1. Members should conduct themselves personally and professionally in a manner, that reflects the shared professional values, that does not compromise their professional responsibilities or the practice of athletic training.
4.2. All NATA members, whether current or past, shall not use the NATA logo or AT logo in the endorsement of products or services, or exploit their affiliation with the NATA in a manner that reflects badly upon the profession.
4.3. Members shall not place financial gain above the patient’s well-being and shall not participate in any arrangement that exploits the patient.
4.4. Members shall not, through direct or indirect means, use information obtained in the course of the practice of athletic training to try and influence the score or outcome of an athletic event, or attempt to induce financial gain through gambling.
4.5. Members shall not provide or publish false or misleading information, photography, or any other communications in any media format, including on any social media platform, related to athletic training that negatively reflects the profession, other members of the NATA, NATA officers, and the NATA office.
Athletic Training’s Shared Professional Values
Established from research conducted by the NATA Professional Responsibility in Athletic Training Committee in 2020, the following are the five shared professional values of athletic training.
Caring & Compassion is an intense concern and desire to help improve the welfare of another.
Sample behaviors include:
1) Listening for understanding and a readiness to help.
2) Focusing on achieving the greatest well-being and the highest potential for others.
3) Spending the time needed to provide quality care.
Integrity is a commitment that is internally motivated by an unyielding desire to do what is honest and right.
Sample behaviors include:
1) Providing truthful, accurate and relevant information.
2) Abiding by the rules, regulations, laws and standards of the profession.
3) Using applicable professional standards and established policies and procedures when taking action or making decisions.
Respect is the act of imparting genuine and unconditional appreciation and value for all persons.
Sample behaviors include:
1) Engaging in active listening when communicating with others.
2) Acknowledging and expressing concern for others and their well-being.
3) Acting in light of the belief that the person has value.
Competence is the ability to perform a task effectively with desirable outcomes.
Sample behaviors include:
1) Thinking critically, demonstrating ethical sensitivity, committing to evidence-based practice, delivering quality skills and effective collaboration.
2) Making sound decisions while demonstrating integrity.
3) Ongoing continuous quality assessment and improvement.
Accountability is a willingness to be responsible for and answerable to one’s own actions.
Sample behaviors include:
1) Acknowledging and accepting the consequences of one’s own actions.
2) Adhering to laws, codes, practice acts and standards that govern professional practice.
3) Assuming responsibility for learning and change.
NATA May 2022